Australia has a long and complex history of providing a safe haven for those fleeing persecution, a tradition that has profoundly shaped our social, cultural and educational landscapes. In my own work as an educator, writer and traveller, I have had the profound privilege of witnessing this transformation from two distinct vantage points: through my […]
The 2014 genocide perpetrated by the Islamic State (ISIS) against the Yazidi people in the Sinjar region of northern Iraq led to the violent displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, systemic sexual enslavement, and the tragic loss of countless lives. In response to this catastrophic humanitarian crisis, Australia opened its doors, specifically focusing its
For those of us working in education and advocating for displaced populations, the classroom—or the writing desk—is never neutral territory. When teaching Yazidi students, we are working with individuals whose primary language, Kurmanji, has become an act of defiance against a history of erasure. Understanding why many Yazidis harbor a deep aversion to the Arabic
In the quiet, ancient villages of the Sinjar mountains, childhood was once defined by an oral tradition dating back millennia. That peace was shattered on August 3, 2014, when the Islamic State launched a genocidal assault on the Yazidi people. As an author, I have spent much of my recent work attempting to capture the
Red Dust and the Peacock Angel: The Journey of Iraq’s Lost Generation Read More »
Australia’s identity is not a static monolith; it is a vibrant, evolving mosaic. As an English teacher working with adult learners, I have a front-row seat to the profound impact of this diversity every day. My classroom is a microcosm of the world, where students from vastly different backgrounds bring their unique stories, perspectives, and
The Strength of Our Mosaic: Why Multiculturalism Matters Read More »
As an educator working with adult Yazidi students, I quickly learned that our lessons extended far beyond the classroom curriculum. To truly know the Yazidis, an ancient, indigenous ethno-religious minority primarily hailing from the Nineveh plains and the Sinjar region of northern Iraq is to understand their fierce resilience. Throughout a long history marked by
A Culinary Journey Through Yazidi Culture: Food, Symbolism, and the Sacred Grain Read More »
My appreciation for the culinary arts has been deepened in the most unexpected ways through my work as an educator. I have had the privilege of being introduced to the rich, aromatic world of Syrian desserts by some of my own students—talented individuals who, before joining my classroom, worked as professional chefs in Syria. Through
A Sweet Journey Through Syria: Origins and Traditions of Syrian Desserts Read More »
June 3rd, 2002 – Taipei, TaiwanI am twenty-eight, single, and currently vibrating at a frequency usually reserved for tuning forks and panicked chihuahuas. I’m in the back of a taxi, hurtling down a dark suburban highway, when the night is violently interrupted by what looks like a UFO landing. It’s a glowing, neon-lit glass kiosk
Midnight in Taipei: Neon, Numbness, and the Betel Nut Beauties Read More »
I attended the Chinese New Year celebrations in Dickson (Canberra) in 2023 and noticed the high number of Western based people actually taking part in the celebrations – that is, the lion dancers, the people giving out red envelopes, the face painters and even some of the singers were mostly Western people. Plus, a large